NFL Player News
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Rico Dowdle RB | CAR
Panthers' Rico Dowdle: Another quiet showing
Dowdle recorded five rushes for nine yards in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams. He added one reception on two targets for six yards.
Dowdle has been particularly inefficient to close the season, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry across Carolina's final four regular-season contests. He also lost his status as the team's lead back in the playoff loss, with Chuba Hubbard out-touching Dowdle 15-6. Dowdle is headed to free agency for the second consecutive offseason, and he is likely to be signed as a complementary back given his fade down the stretch after a strong start to 2025.
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Andrew Billings DT | CHI
Bears' Andrew Billings: Dealing with hip issue
Billings is questionable to return to Saturday's wild-card round game against the Packers due to a hip injury,Adam Jahns of AllCHGO.com reports.
Billings seems to have suffered the injury in the first half and did not log a tackle before being sidelined. The exact nature of the issue remains unclear.
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Chuba Hubbard RB | CAR
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Two scores in playoff loss
Hubbard rushed the ball 13 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams. He added two receptions on four targets for 13 yards.
Hubbard worked as the clear lead back, out-touching Rico Dowdle 15-6. While he didn't break any explosive plays or work very efficiently, Hubbard did manage to punch in a pair of scores from one and three yards, respectively. He will be a difficult player to assess for 2026, as he worked behind Dowdle for much of the 2025 campaign. However, he regained a more significant role in the offense late in the season, while Dowdle is set to become a free agent.
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Bryce Young QB | CAR
Panthers' Bryce Young: Valiant effort in loss
Young completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams. He added three rushes for 24 yards and an additional score.
The Panthers have tried to hide Young for significant stretches of the season, relying on a particularly run-heavy offense. However, the game plan was more aggressive Saturday, as he reached 40 pass attempts for only the third time in 17 total games this season. Young showed particular rapport down the field with Jalen Coker, connecting for gains of 52 and 37 yards. He also scrambled for a 16-yard touchdown just before halftime while delivering a seven-yard passing score to Coker to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. While Young's performance has been volatile throughout the early portions of his career, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Saturday morning that the Panthers are expected to pick up Young's fifth-year option this offseason. That makes it very likely that he will enter the 2026 season as Carolina's starting quarterback.
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T.J. Edwards LB | CHI
Bears' T.J. Edwards: Won't return Saturday
Edwards (ankle) has been ruled out of Saturday's game against the Packers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
This news doesn't come as much surprise, as Edwards left the game on a cart with an air cast around his leg. His absence will leave a significant hole in the middle of Chicago's defense, particularly hurting it against the run.
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Tetairoa McMillan WR | CAR
Panthers' Tetairoa McMillan: Five catches in playoff loss
McMillan recorded five receptions on seven targets for 81 yards in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round loss to the Rams.
McMillan was overshadowed by Jalen Coker, but he still turned in a solid showing of his own. He particularly played a key role on a touchdown drive in the second quarter, logging consecutive receptions of 14 and 22 yards. Overall, McMillan closed his rookie season having topped 70 receiving yards in three of his last five games, setting him up to take a potential step forward in his sophomore season.
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T.J. Edwards LB | CHI
Bears' T.J. Edwards: Suffers ankle injury
Edwards suffered an ankle injury during Saturday's wild-card round game against the Packers and is doubtful to return.
Edwards banged his leg off a Packers' wide receiver in accidental contact during the first half, and he was carted off the field with an air cast on his leg. While he's officially doubtful, it would be shocking to see him retake the field. This could conclude an injury-plagued season for Edwards, as he was only able to suit up in 11 total games.
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Kyren Williams RB | LAR
Rams' Kyren Williams: Catches key TD
Williams rushed the ball 13 times for 57 yards in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card round win over the Panthers. He added two receptions on two targets for 18 yards.
Williams wasn't particularly effective as a rusher, with his longest gain of the day going for only eight yards. The Rams were also in a surprising game script, forcing the team to the air and away from the run game. While that combination led to a modest yardage total for Williams, he made a 13-yard touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter to temporarily put Los Angeles ahead. His performance was saved by the score, but Williams only saw two more touches than Blake Corum -- a usage trend that could continue in the divisional round.